Gideon van Buitenen is a Dutch amateur Astronomer and Software Developer who works for Lucrasoft ICT Groep.[1]
Gideon van Buitenen | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship |  NED the Netherlands |
| Education | Develstein College (secondary school; graduated 1999) Delft University of Technology (graduated 2001; studied Computer Science) Hogeschool Schumann Akademie (2007-10) |
| Occupation(s) | Computer Scientist Astronomer (Amateur) |
| Years active | 2002- |
| Employer(s) | Lucrasoft ICT Groep (1 September 2017-) BluJay Solutions, formerly Kewill (1st August 2015-31 August 2017) PERFECTVIEW (QA Coordinator; 2002-05) Four Soft Netherlands B.V. |
| Known for | Developing the software for astro.vanbuitenen.nl |
| Spouse | ? (6 July 2006-) |
| Relatives | Evely de Waard (Cousin) |
| Website | http://astro.vanbuitenen.nl |
Early Life and Education
editVan Buitenen was interested in astronomy since his childhood. He went to Develstein College for his secondary education and graduated in 1999, later attenting Delft University of Technology, graduating with a degree in Computer Science in 2001, together with Michiel de Wit, and later attending Hogeschool Schumann Akademie between 2007-10.[2] He later sutdied Jazz Violin at Artem Arnhem.[3]
Career
editVan Buitenen currently works as a Software Developer at the Lucrasoft ICT Groep since September 1, 2017. He has previously worked with BlueJay Solutions, formerly Kewill, between August 1, 2015 – August 31, 2017, PERFECTVIEW as (QA Coordinator) from (2002-2005) and Four Soft Netherlands B.V..[4]
Astronomical career
editBeginnings
editVan Buitenen reignited his interest in astronomy 'a few year ago thanks to the media-hype around comet ISON (C/2012 S1)'. 'Eager to see the alleged "comet of the century"' himself, he got 'a low-budget 5" Newtonian telescope' and observed 'just about everything it allowed [him] to'.
Reignited Interest in Astronomy
editVan Buitenen's interest in astronomy led him to want to see and capture astronomical images himself, instead of seeing pictures by someone else. He convinced himself that he should go into visual astronomy and giving into his 'aperture fever', he ugraded to a 12" dobsonian, 'light-bucket', telescope.
Further Observing
editVan Buitenen has had the chance to see nearly all the Messier objects, many objects from the New General Catalogue, all Major planets, some Minor planets (including Pluto) and a few Near-Earth asteroids. Despite this, he still holds 'a main interest in comets', citing: "probably because they require a bit of a chase" as the reason.[5]
Observation Locations
editLike many observers[who?][which?], his observing locations, are in light-polluted suburbs. Nevertheless, he has been able to travel to various dark locations, choosing Domaine de Pradines in the french cevennes, stating that "nothing can beat a dark sky in astronomy".
Astro.vanbuitenen.nl
editDuring cloudier nights, he has 'an interest in the physics and mathematics behind astronomy, and also writes software to support his hobby. His website, said van Buitenen, evolved from his desire of putting automated, Real-time information on visual comets online.
Reliability
editDespite being a self-made astronomer, van Buitenen has earned a measure of reliability, credibility and trust for his works, due to their accuracy.[6] His website is sometimes a source for referencing by other websites.[7][8]
Personal life
editVan Buitenen has been married since July 6, 2006 and lives in Dordrecht, South Holland, the Netherlands.[9] He has a cousin named Evely de Waard.[10]
References
edit- ^ Gideon van Buitenen's Official Website
- ^ Van Buitenen's Early Life
- ^ Gideon van Buitenen's Official Facebook Profile
- ^ Gideon van Buitenen's employment history on his official Facebook profile since 2002
- ^ Why Gideon van Buitenen prefers comets to others on astro.vanbuitenen.nl
- ^ Gideon van Buitenen's 2023A3 data estimates
- ^ Alpo-astronomy comet reports
- ^ Gideon van Buitenen's info on Rocketreach
- ^ Gideon van Buitenen on astrodon.social
- ^ About Gideon van Buitenen on Facebook
External links
edit- Astrodon.social
- Gideon van Buitenen on Ko-fi